RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MANAGER TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT A HALLOWEEN INITIATIVE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO LIMIT CONTACT BETWEEN CHILDREN AND SEXUAL OFFENDERS AND PREDATORS ON HALLOWEEN

Indexes:

SEXUAL PREDATORS

Sponsors:

Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Prime Sponsor

Sunset Provision:
No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History

Acting Body

Date

Agenda Item

Action

Sent To

Due Date

Returned

Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners

9/26/2006

14A1

Adopted

P

County Manager

9/21/2006

Additions

9/26/2006

County Attorney

9/8/2006

Referred

Community Outreach, Safety & Healthcare Admin Cmte

9/20/2006

County Attorney

9/8/2006

Assigned

Abigail Price-Williams

Legislative Text

TITLE

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MANAGER TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT A HALLOWEEN INITIATIVE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO LIMIT CONTACT BETWEEN CHILDREN AND SEXUAL OFFENDERS AND PREDATORS ON HALLOWEEN

BODY

WHEREAS, Halloween activities present increased opportunities for pedophiles to gain and violate children's trust; and
WHEREAS, certain activities, including but not limited to the distribution of candy, lure children to the homes of pedophiles; and
WHEREAS, limiting children's contact with sexual offenders and predators will increase children's safety and well-being; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Florida Statutes, sexual offenders and predators sentenced to probation or community control are subject to supervision by the Florida Department of Corrections ("DOC") and subject to arrest for a violation of probation or community control by both the DOC and local law enforcement officers; and
WHEREAS, increased collaboration between the Miami-Dade Police Department ("MDPD") and the DOC to develop and implement preventive-type operations to reduce sexual offender and predator access to children benefits the County; and
WHEREAS, the Commission urges municipalities to collaborate with MDPD and the DOC to implement proactive initiatives, including a Halloween Initiative, to limit children's contact with sexual offenders and predators,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Section 1. Creation of Initiative. The County Manager is directed to create and implement a "Trick-No-Treat" Halloween Initiative in conjunction with the DOC regarding sexual offenders and predators residing in unincorporated Miami-Dade County and under the supervision of the DOC. The Halloween Initiative shall be developed and implemented prior to October 31, 2006. The Halloween Initiative shall consider the following:
(a) Issuance of orders by the DOC to sexual offenders and predators, pursuant to the terms and conditions of their probation or community control, prohibiting them from participating in Halloween activities that involve children, including but not limited to, distributing candy to children, opening the doors of their residences to children, or attending a party where a child is present;
(b) Issuance of orders by the DOC to certain sexual offenders and predators requiring them to remain at home during Trick-or-Treat hours designated by the DOC;
(c) Collaboration between MDPD and the DOC to ensure that sexual offenders and predators are notified of DOC orders;
(d) Coordination of MDPD and DOC Officers to establish law enforcement teams: (i) to inspect the residences of sexual offenders and predators, (ii) to confirm compliance with DOC orders and registration requirements, and (iii) to make arrests when appropriate;
(e) Notification to the general public through the news media, including Miami-Dade TV, of the Halloween Initiative, the FDLE Sex Offender Website, and Halloween safety tips; and
(f) Creation of a joint task force between MDPD and the DOC to develop future collaborative law enforcement initiatives, including but not limited to an annual Halloween Initiative, to increase sexual offender and predator compliance with the law and DOC orders.
Section 2. Reports.
(a) The County Manager shall prepare and submit a report to the Community Outreach, Safety and Healthcare Administration (COSHA) Committee and the County Commission prior to October 31, 2006, regarding the Halloween Initiative.
(b) Within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this resolution, the County Manager shall also prepare and submit a report to the COSHA Committee and the Commission regarding the results of the Halloween Initiative including the status of the creation of a joint task force between MDPD and DOC.
Section 3. The Clerk of the Board shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Mayors and Clerks of the Board of each municipality in Miami-Dade County.